I read this article over at GolfChannel.com and thought it’d be a good read considering the circumstances. My wife is Japanese and is struggling with similar emotions that Ryo Ishikawa is experiencing. It’s terrible that the country has suffered such a devastating loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
Ryo Ishikawa, who is currently in a three-tournament stretch wishes he could go home and see his family and assist in the relief effort for a country devastated by an earthquake and tsunami and who now faces concerns over a nuclear meltdown.
Like many though, he realizes there is little that he can do.
“It almost pains me that I am out there and the people of Japan are going through the worst crisis,” Ishikawa said. “I never for once felt lucky that I am here, meaning that my heart and soul are with the people of Japan. Even though I am physically here, my mind is there. Thousands are struggling over there as I speak here today.”
“I would like to perform at my best with them in my thoughts.”
During his best round on American soil (65 at Doral), he learned about the tragedy and the rest of the week was a struggle and he closed the tournament in 42nd place.
“I wish I could go over there and assist with the search-and-rescue teams,” he said. “In reality, even if I were to go back, there is very little that I could actually do. I couldn’t bring them a whole lot of food or go back into the areas that were hit. We’re not allowed in there right now. The only thing I can do is train hard, play hard, play great golf and provide some good news for the people of Japan.”
His next stop is the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and then on to Augusta National to prepare for the 2011 Masters. After that, he’ll head back and still has plans to play the opening tournament of the Japan Golf Tour the week following the Masters.
“I would love to win for the people of Japan, but that is a thought I always carry when I play overseas,” he said. “Given this crisis, my motivation is at the highest it has ever been. There is no negative pressure. I just feel very focused and zoned in. And if I could produce such a brilliant result … and if the bright news could be a source of encouragement for the people of Japan, I would be at my happiest.”
I imagine that the pressure of playing professional golf has been amplified for him, now hoping that a win on American soil would lift the spirits of the country.
What do you think?